The Project Management Institute’s (PMI) Certified Associate in Project Management – CAPM certification is a well-respected credential that demonstrates proficiency in project management.
If you are interested in pursuing a career in project management or are preparing for the CAPM exam, it is important to be aware of the changes that will take effect in January 2024.
The PMI has recently released a new Examination Content Outline (ECO) for the CAPM exam, which outlines the domains covered on the exam and the proportion of questions from each domain. This is the first update to the ECO since 2018. Therefore, it is important for individuals planning to take the CAPM exam to be aware of and prepare for these changes.
So what do you need to know? In this article, we will outline what is currently announced about the updations and how one can prepare.
Why is the CAPM Exam Changing?
PMI periodically evaluates the duties and responsibilities of those in project management positions to ensure that the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) exam accurately assesses the skills and knowledge required for these roles.
This process includes gathering data through market research, job task analysis, and identifying trends in the field. Based on this analysis’s results, PMI may update the CAPM exam to keep it relevant for both professionals and the organizations that hire them.
What Changes Can We Expect with the Latest Update to the CAPM Exam?
The previous exam version strongly emphasized memorizing the contents of the PMBOK® Guide – Sixth edition.
However, the new exam will continue to assess the fundamentals, common practices, terminology, and processes but will now incorporate a wider range of professional practices. As a result, candidates can anticipate being tested on a range of agile, hybrid, and other delivery approaches and ways of working.
This may make the exam more challenging, as it will cover more concepts. On the other hand, for those who work in agile environments, the new exam may align more closely with their real-world experience, making it more accessible.
CAPM 2024 Exam Content Outline – What’s New?
The 2024 CAPM exam will cover the topics outlined in the Examination Content Outline (ECO). In addition, this blog includes information on the number of domains on the exam and the percentage of test items within each domain. Below are some notable changes to the ECO:
Exam Domains are Divided and Defined Differently
The project management field is continually evolving, reflected in the various areas of focus included in the exam. These domains highlight the critical practices and duties that a project manager must be proficient in.
The exam for 2024 will cover the foundational principles of project management and newer techniques, such as agile methodologies and business analysis frameworks. The specifics of the domains being tested are outlined as follows:
- Project management fundamentals and core concepts
- Predictive plan-based methodologies
- Agile frameworks/methodologies
- Business analysis frameworks
How are Questions Split?
| Domain | Percentage of Questions |
| Project management fundamentals and core concepts | 36 |
| Predictive, plan-based methodologies | 17 |
| Agile frameworks/methodologies | 20 |
| Business analysis frameworks | 27 |
The 2024 CAPM exam will be based on the PMBOK® Guide Seventh Edition, but some questions may not align with it. This is because the exam includes critical job tasks identified by a volunteer task force based on their experience and resources.
According to PMI, the predictive and adaptive techniques will be integrated into all four domains and not be restricted to any particular job or domain.
Let us explore each domain separately:
Domain 1
The foundations of project management are covered in the first area using both predictive and adaptive techniques. These serve as the building blocks for project management. Your knowledge of project roles and duties, project planning, and project life cycles and processes will all be tested.
Domain 2:
This domain cover the predictive and adaptive project management methodologies in greater detail. You must be aware of when and how each strategy is applied. The second domain investigates implementing project monitoring measures and interacting with project timelines.
Domain 3
Extreme Programming (XP), Scrum, and other agile and adaptable development methodologies are introduced in the third domain. You must understand how to schedule project iterations, record project controls, and rank activities.
Domain 4
The fourth domain, business analysis (BA), accounts for 27% of test questions. You must comprehend what a business analyst does, how they gather and validate requirements, provide suitable communication methods, and do.
Differences and Similarities Between the Old and the New CAPM Exam
Differences
Old Format
The 2018 CAPM content outline is based on four chapters in the PMBOK® Guide Sixth Edition.
The main domains include:
- Introduction to Project Management
- Project Environment
- Role of the Project Manager
- 10 Project Management Knowledge Areas
New Format
The new January 2024 CAPM ECO is now based on PMBOK® Guide Seventh Edition, and the four domains include:
- Project Management Fundamentals and Core Concepts
- Predictive, Plan-Based Methodologies
- Agile Frameworks/Methodologies
- Business Analysis Frameworks
Similarities
Both the old and the new exams will have 150 questions to finish in 3 hours and can be taken at a testing facility or online with a proctor.
How To Crack Certified Agile Project Management (CAPM) Exam In 2024?
Here are some steps you can take for the CAPM exam prep:
- Understand the Exam Format and Content: Familiarize yourself with the new exam format, including the number of questions, time limit, and the areas of knowledge that will be tested
- Study the PMBOK Guide: The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) guide is the primary reference for the CAPM exam, so it is essential to understand its contents well
- Take a Training Course: Enrolling in a CAPM training course can be a great way to prepare for the exam, as they often provide study materials, practice tests, and instruction from experienced professionals
A Premier Authorized Training Partner of Project Management Institute (PMI), Invensis Learning provides a global CAPM exam prep course.
- Practice with Sample Questions: Many resources are available online and offline; you can practice answering exam-like questions and get a sense of the types of questions you will encounter on the exam.
- Stay Organized and on Track: Create a study schedule and stick to it. Break the exam syllabus into small chunks and set a target to complete each chunk on a certain date.
- Take Mock Tests: It will help you to identify your weak areas and help to focus more on them.
These tips will help you as you clear the CAPM exam prep. Remember that the most important thing is to study hard and stay focused.
What are the Reference Texts?
It is no longer sufficient to rely solely on the PMBOK® Guide as a reference text. Instead, it is now recommended to read a variety of texts, including:
- PMBOK® Guide – 7th edition (PMI)
- PMIStandards+ (which is a digital version of the PMBOK® Guide – 6th edition)
- Agile Practice Guide (PMI)
- Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide (PMI)
- Effective Project Management: Traditional, Agile, Extreme, Hybrid (written by Robert K. Wysocki and is a personal recommendation)
- Project Management Answer Book, 2nd Edition (written by Jeff Furman)
- The PMI Guide to Business Analysis (PMI)
It is important to familiarize yourself with the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, as it is included in the exam content outline. This document is short and easy to read.
It’s worth noting that the current reference list for the pilot exam includes two books on business analysis. It’s unclear at this point if this will be the case in the full exam, as holding a CAPM certification doesn’t necessarily mean performing business analysis tasks. Project management and business analysis are two distinct and complementary fields.
Conclusion: Should I Be Worried About the CAPM Exam Changes?
No!
There’s no need to fret over changes to the CAPM exam. Despite any updates that may occur in 2024 or later, individuals have been successfully preparing for and passing this exam for many years.
You can tackle the exam confidently by utilizing effective exam preparation resources, such as study courses or practice exams, and feeling well-prepared. The changes may seem daunting at first, but they are ultimately just part of the natural progression and evolution of the certification’s requirements.
Glossary
- Agile: An approach to project management that emphasizes flexibility, collaboration, and customer satisfaction. Agile methodologies, such as Scrum and Kanban, break down larger projects into smaller, manageable chunks called “sprints.”
- CAPM: The Certified Agile Project Manager is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) that demonstrates a professional’s knowledge of Agile methodologies and ability to manage projects using Agile practices.
- PMI: The Project Management Institute (PMI) is a professional organization that sets the standards for project management and offers various certifications, including the CAPM
- Exam Format: The format of the CAPM exam refers to the structure and layout of the test, including the number of questions, the types of questions (e.g., multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank), and the time allowed for completion
Scrum: Scrum is an Agile methodology that organizes work into sprints and relies on a cross-functional team to deliver working products incrementally
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